Non-residents to get new rate at Palisades Park town pool

PALISADES PARK — The Palisades Park town pool will be open to residents in four nearby municipalities at the same rates offered to those who live in the borough.

The agreements with Cliffside Park, Edgewater, Fairview and Fort Lee for the summer season still need to be finalized, said Mayor James Rotundo, who added that town officials’ goal is to attract and build up membership.

"We’ve had discussions with them and every town is excited about the idea," Rotundo said Friday. "Why not make a deal with towns where we already have members from."

Edgewater Mayor James Delaney said town residents have had the chance to join the Leonia Swim Club in the past, although he didn’t know at what rate. But he said Palisades Park’s offer is also welcome.

"If it’s more convenient for [residents] to go to Palisades Park, why not have the option?" he said. "I’m appreciative for what Palisades Park has done for us."

Fairview Mayor Vincent Bellucci said Friday that it was the first time he had heard of any agreement when called by The Record. He said he was on vacation last week, and would like to hear more details, but at first glance it sounded like a good plan.

"If we can get residents to have a reduced fee for going to the pool, that is a great idea,’’ said Bellucci.

Rotundo said that he spoke to Paul Juliano in Fairview, who is head of the Department of Public Works.

Bill Maer, spokesman for Cliffside Park, said officials are looking forward to finalizing the agreement.

"The borough is excited by the prospect, and hopes that it gets done in the near future for the upcoming season,’’ he said.

The current fees for non-residents to join the Palisades Park Swim Club are $565 for a family of five, $390 for a couple, $270 for an individual, and $130 for a senior citizen age 62 and over.

Those fees are higher than the fees charged to residents, which are: $350 for a family of five, $300 for a couple, $195 for an individual and $70 for a senior citizen.

Last summer, the Palisades Park Swim Club had approximately 460 memberships for the season, plus it sold daily passes, said Shirley Ostuni, an employee at the pool office.

At one time, the Palisades Park Swim Club had a waiting list for membership. But in recent years, borough officials haven’t been able to count on membership fees to cover pool expenses, so a few years ago borough officials decided to allow daily passes for anyone who was willing to pay $12 on a weekday, or $15 on a weekend, no matter where they resided.

On Friday, the mayor said the daily passes, which will cost $15 for weekdays and weekends this summer, will be offered only to residents in the towns where the resident rates agreement exists.

Palisades Park isn’t the only town that has offered resident rates to non-residents. The Waldwick pool has allowed Midland Park residents to pay the same rate as their town residents for the last couple of years.